The 4 Major Regions of the Brain

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following are the four major regions of the brain from bottom to top?

Cerebrum (correct)

Diencephalon (correct)

Cerebellum (correct)

Brainstem (correct)

What are the parts of the brainstem?

Medulla oblongata, pons, midbrain

What are the parts/centers of the medulla oblongata?

Cardiac center, primary respiratory center, vasomotor center, swallowing center, coughing center, sneezing center, vomiting center

What does the cardiac center regulate?

Heart Signup and view all the answers

Which center regulates normal breathing?

Primary respiratory center Signup and view all the answers

What does the vasomotor center regulate?

Blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

The swallowing center regulates what function?

Swallowing Signup and view all the answers

What function is regulated by the coughing center?

Cough Signup and view all the answers

What does the sneezing center regulate?

Sneezing Signup and view all the answers

What function is regulated by the vomiting center?

Vomiting Signup and view all the answers

All sensory tracts located below leading to the cerebrum are __ and are located .

ascending; column white matter Signup and view all the answers

All motor tracts from above leading to the spinal cord are _ and located __.

descending; column white matter Signup and view all the answers

What are the components of the pons?

Secondary respiration center, sensory tracts, motor tracts, cerebellar peduncles Signup and view all the answers

What is another name for the pons?

Varoli Signup and view all the answers

What does the secondary respiratory center regulate?

Breathing the way you want to Signup and view all the answers

What are the two parts of the secondary respiratory center that regulate breathing as desired?

Apneustic center, Pneumotaxic center Signup and view all the answers

In the pons, all sensory tracts are ________ toward the cerebrum.

ascending Signup and view all the answers

In the pons, all motor tracts are ________ toward the spinal cord.

descending Signup and view all the answers

Huge tracts that connect the pons to the cerebellum are called Cerebellar _______.

peduncles Signup and view all the answers

What does the midbrain consist of?

Cerebral peduncles, corpora quadrigemina Signup and view all the answers

What do the cerebral peduncles contain?

Motor tracts on their way down from the cerebrum Signup and view all the answers

What does the corpora quadrigemina consist of?

Superior and inferior colliculi Signup and view all the answers

What do the superior colliculi control?

Visual reflexes Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the inferior colliculi?

Controls auditory reflexes Signup and view all the answers

What parts make up the diencephalon?

Epithalamus, thalamus, hypothalamus Signup and view all the answers

What does the epithalamus contain?

Pineal glands Signup and view all the answers

What hormone does the pineal gland produce?

Melatonin Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the thalamus?

Sensory relay station for synapses on the way up to the cerebrum Signup and view all the answers

Which sense does not synapse in the thalamus?

Smell Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the hypothalamus?

Link between nervous system and endocrine system Signup and view all the answers

What functions are regulated in the hypothalamus during the link with the nervous and endocrine systems?

Reproduction, growth, development, water salt balance, metabolism Signup and view all the answers

What does the hypothalamus autonomic systems control?

Detect oxygen, temperature, and hunger feelings; mammillary bodies Signup and view all the answers

What pathway are mammillary bodies responsible for?

Olfaction pathway Signup and view all the answers

What parts make up the cerebellum?

Inner tissue called Arbor vitae, coordinates motor activities and balance Signup and view all the answers

What are the four information sources that the cerebellum utilizes?

Descending motor signal, ascending sensory signal from muscles, balance signals from the inner ear, visual signal from the eye Signup and view all the answers

What does 'taxia' refer to?

Damage to cerebellum disease; lack of motor skills/coordination Signup and view all the answers

What does the limbic system control?

Emotional response Signup and view all the answers

What overlaps with the limbic system?

Brainstem, diencephalon, cerebrum Signup and view all the answers

In the limbic system, which functions does the brainstem help regulate?

Emotional and breathing Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Major Regions of the Brain

Brain consists of four major regions: brainstem, diencephalon, cerebellum, and cerebrum.

Brain Stem Components

Brain stem is composed of three parts: medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain.

Medulla Oblongata Functions

Contains vital centers for cardiac function, primary respiratory, vasomotor, as well as centers for swallowing, coughing, sneezing, and vomiting.

Cardiac Center

Regulates heart function and is influenced by parasympathetic synapses.

Respiratory Functions

Primary respiratory center controls normal breathing.
Secondary respiratory center allows for regulation of breathing based on activity.

Vasomotor & Swallowing Centers

Vasomotor center regulates blood pressure.
Swallowing center coordinates the act of swallowing.

Coughing and Sneezing Centers

Coughing center manages the cough reflex.
Sneezing center triggers the sneezing reflex.

Tract Functions in White Matter

Ascending tracts are sensory pathways leading to the cerebrum, while descending tracts are motor pathways directing signals to the spinal cord.

Pons Composition

Made up of sensory and motor tracts, along with cerebellar peduncles.

Cerebellar Peduncles

Large tracts connecting the pons to the cerebellum, facilitating communication between these structures.

Midbrain Structures

Includes cerebral peduncles and corpora quadrigemina which are crucial for various reflexes.

Superior Colliculi Functions

Involved in visual reflexes and somatic movements, including controlling eye movements.

Inferior Colliculi Functions

Controls auditory reflexes.

Diencephalon Parts

Comprises the epithalamus, thalamus, and hypothalamus.

Epithalamus Role

Houses the pineal glands, responsible for producing melatonin.

Thalamus Function

Serves as a sensory relay station, with the exception of olfactory signals.

Hypothalamus Functions

Acts as a link between the nervous and endocrine systems, regulating reproduction, growth, metabolism, and water-salt balance.

Autonomic Control in Hypothalamus

Monitors oxygen levels, body temperature, and sensations of hunger and fullness.

Cerebellum Structure and Functions

Contains inner tissue known as Arbor vitae, important for coordinating motor activities and maintaining balance through multiple sources of information.

Damage Impacts on Cerebellum

Taxia refers to impaired coordination and motor skills due to cerebellar damage.

Limbic System Role

Controls emotional responses and overlaps with the brainstem functions, linking emotional regulation with physiological processes like breathing.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the four major regions of the brain through engaging flashcards. Explore the brainstem, diencephalon, cerebellum, and cerebrum, along with their components and functions. Perfect for students of anatomy or anyone interested in neuroscience.